Conveyor belt with advertising and method of making same

ABSTRACT

A conveyor belt with advertising is fabricated by coating at least one flexible belting member with a vinyl size coating. A white base coat is applied over the vinyl size coating. A variety of printing processes may be used to print registered color separation images on the belting member. These processes include silkscreen, flexographic and offset printing. The belting members may be made in lengths shorter than the entire length of the conveyor belt with removable attachment means, permitting individual advertising images to be replaced without replacing the entire conveyor belt. Methods for fabricating the belting members including ink formulations, handling and drying steps are also described.

RELATED APPLICATION

The instant application is a Divisional Application of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/086,659, filed Feb. 28, 2002 and currently pending.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention pertains to surface treatments for conveyor belts. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to conveyor belts havingadvertisements printed on an outer surface for viewing by consumers inretail establishments and methods of fabricating such belts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various techniques have been developed for using the surface area ofconveyor belts in supermarkets and other retail establishments asadvertising space. Making effective use of this space has often beenproblematic due to the flexible nature of the conveyor belts, thecontinuous wear associated with objects placed on the belts and therelative complexity of systems designed to deal with these problems.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,525 issued to Vonholm et al. is directed to a methodfor application of removable information and advertising indicia on aconveyor belt in cashier counters in grocery stores, airports, etc. Themethod includes use of a heat/pressure press to press down parts of theconveyor belt to form recesses in the conveyor belt surface.Foil/sticker advertising media are inserted into the recesses.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,828 issued to Smallwood, discloses a an endless beltdisplay device incorporating a transparent panel having all but one edgebonded to the top surface of the belt. The open edge provides a pocketin the transparent panel in which advertising media may be placed. Theunbonded edge and the top edge of the transparent panel are in directcontact with one another as the belt is rotated. Means are provided fortightening and loosening the belt to allow replacement of theadvertising media. Patent No. WO 00/69759, issued to Payne is directedto a conveyor belt comprising a substrate layer with an informationdisplay formed on the uppermost surface thereof. One or more transparentor translucent coating layers of a thermosetting plastic materialoverlay the substrate layer such that the information is visible throughthe coating layers.

Patent No. EP 0 478 866 A1 issued to Munkner is directed to precutposters printed with advertisement that are adhered to belt-platesforming a conveyor belt as at an airport luggage conveyor. The postersare formed of polyethylene or similar synthetics on which advertisingmessages are printed in indelible scratch-free inks and secured in placewith pressure sensitive adhesives or similar adhesive emulsions over thebelt-plates of a conveyor.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,094 issued to Molinaro et al., the present inventor,reference is directed to checkout conveyor belts incorporatingchangeable display advertising. The changeable advertising media isprinted on static cling sheets that are adhered to the conveyor belt byelectrostatic attraction or low friction coating applied to the visiblesurface of the static cling sheets. An adhesive strip is alternativelyemployed to secure the leading edge of the static cling sheet to theouter surface of the belt.

While other variations exist, the above-described inventions forproviding advertising on conveyor belts are typical of those encounteredin the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provideadvertising on conveyor belts that is bright, colorful and resistant tochemical spills and abrasion. It is a further objective to provide suchadvertising through methods that are economical and can be easilyreproduced. It is a still further objective of the invention to providethe above-described features in a conveyor belt that will resistcracking of the advertising images as the belt is flexed and as itexpands and contracts due to temperature changes. While some of theobjectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, noneof the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior artconveyor belts with advertising and methods of making same and satisfiesall of the objectives described above.

A conveyor belt with advertising providing the desired features may beconstructed from the following components. At least one belting member,the belting member has a first predetermined length, an upper surface, alower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and secondends. At least one advertising image is provided. The advertising imageis printed upon the upper surface. Means are provided for removablyattaching one of the first ends to one of the second ends.

In a variant of the invention, at least one belting member is provided.The belting member has a first predetermined length, an upper surface, alower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and secondends. A white base coating is provided. The white base coating isadhered to the upper surface. At least one advertising image isprovided. The advertising image is printed upon the white base coating.Means are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends to oneof the second ends.

In another variant, at least one belting member is provided. The beltingmember has a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lowersurface, first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends.A vinyl size coating is provided. The vinyl size coating is applied tothe upper surface. A white base coating is provided. The white basecoating is adhered to the upper surface over the vinyl size coating. Atleast one advertising image is provided. The advertising image isprinted upon the white base coating. Means are provided for removablyattaching one of the first ends to one of the second ends.

In still another variant, at least one belting member is provided. Thebelting member has a first predetermined length, an upper surface, alower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and secondends. The belting member is formed of either white or light-coloredmaterial. A vinyl size coating is provided. The vinyl size coating isapplied to the upper surface. At least one advertising image isprovided. The advertising image is printed upon the vinyl size coating.Means are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends to oneof the second ends.

In a further variant, the belting member is formed of materials havinganti-static properties.

In still a further variant, the belting member is formed of polyvinylchloride material and the upper surface has a matte smooth surfacehaving a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro.

In yet a further variant, the predetermined length of the belting memberis less than an entire length of the conveyor belt, permittingreplacement of a portion of the entire length of the conveyor belt.

In another variant of the invention, a method for making a conveyor beltfor use in a retail establishment, includes the following steps:Developing advertising images for printing onto at least one beltingmember. Preparing a color separation image for each color to be printedon the belting member for the advertising image. Preparing means toprint each of the color separation images successively onto the beltingmember. The separation images are to be printed in registration with oneanother. Providing at least one belting member. The belting memberhaving a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface,first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends. Cleaningthe belting member to remove any contaminants. Coating the upper surfaceof the belting member with a vinyl size material. Applying a white basecoating to the upper surface over the vinyl size material. Printing eachof the color separation images successively onto the belting member inregistration with one another. Curing the advertising image on thebelting member. Supporting the belting member to prevent either offlexing and contact with the advertising image for a predetermined postcure period. Inspecting the belting members for printing defects.Connecting attaching means to each of the first and second ends.

In still another variant, a method for making a conveyor belt for use ina retail establishment, includes the following steps: Developingadvertising images for printing onto at least one belting member.Preparing a color separation image for each color to be printed on thebelting member for the advertising image. Preparing means to print eachof the color separation images successively onto the belting member. Theseparation images are to be printed in registration with one another.Providing at least one belting member, the belting member having a firstpredetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first andsecond parallel side edges and first and second ends. The belting memberis formed of either white or light-colored material. Cleaning thebelting member to remove any contaminants. Coating the upper surface ofthe belting member with a vinyl size material. Printing each of thecolor separation images successively onto the belting member inregistration with one another. Curing the advertising image on thebelting member. Supporting the belting member to prevent either offlexing and contact with the advertising image for a predetermined postcure period. Inspecting the belting members for printing defects.Connecting attaching means to each of the first and second ends.

In still a further variant of the invention, the advertising images areprepared in digital format and the color separation images are producedfrom the digital format.

In yet a further variant, the means to print each of the colorseparation images successively onto the belting member is a silkscreenprocess.

In another variant, the means to print each of the color separationimages successively onto the belting member is an offset printingprocess.

In still another variant, the means to print each of the colorseparation images successively onto the belting member is a flexographicprinting process.

In yet another variant, the belting member is formed of materials havinganti-static properties.

In yet a further variant, the belting member is formed of polyvinylchloride material and the upper surface has a matte smooth surfacehaving a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro.

In still a further variant of the invention, the belting member iscleaned using a solution that includes agents chosen from the groupincluding: methyl alcohol and toluene.

In another variant, the advertising image to be printed is composed ofonly spot colors and the inks printed on the belting member areconventional inks.

In yet another variant, the advertising image to be printed is afour-color process image and the inks printed on the belting member areultraviolet ink.

In still another variant, the inks are cured using an ultraviolet lightsource, the ultraviolet light source having a power rating from 100watts to 300 watts.

In a further variant of the invention, the belting member is moved underthe ultraviolet light source at a speed ranging from 20 to 40 feet perminute.

In yet a further variant, the post cure period ranges from 48 to 72hours.

In still a further variant, a method for making a conveyor belt for usein a retail establishment further includes the steps of: Preparing asilkscreen for each color separation image. Registering a first of thesilk screens to the belting member. Printing a first color ink on thebelting member through the first silkscreen over the white base coating.Removing the first silkscreen. Registering, printing through andremoving succeeding silk screens for each additional color ink for eachadvertising image.

In yet a another variant, a method for making a conveyor belt for use ina retail establishment further includes the steps of: Preparing asilkscreen for each color separation image. Registering a first of thesilk screens to the belting member. Printing a first color ink on thebelting member through the first silkscreen. Removing the firstsilkscreen. Registering, printing through and removing succeeding silkscreens for each additional color ink for each advertising image.

In still another variant of the invention, a method for making aconveyor belt for use in a retail establishment wherein the preparationof a silkscreen for each color separation image further includes thesteps of: Preparing a film negative for each color separation image.Preparing a frame for each silkscreen. Tensioning and securing eachsilkscreen to one of the frames. Registering the film negative on thesilkscreen. Exposing the silkscreen to a metal halide light source for aperiod of time ranging from four to seven minutes. Removing the filmnegative from the silkscreen.

In a further variant, the film negative is capable of yielding an imagehaving a resolution of at least 84 lines per screen and 600 dots perinch.

In still a further variant, the silk screens are tensioned on the frameswith a force 14-25 newtons.

In yet a further variant, the silkscreen has a mesh count rangingbetween 230 and 420 cells per square inch.

In another variant, the ink is comprised of an adhesion component and acolored ink component.

In still another variant, the adhesion component is comprised of anadhesion promoter and a mixing clear agent, the adhesion promoter is0.05% to 20% of the adhesion component by weight with the mixing clearagent is the corresponding percentage of the adhesion component byweight.

In yet another variant, the ink is comprised of 0.05% to 20% adhesioncomponent by weight with the colored ink component is the correspondingpercentage of the ink by weight.

In a further variant, the colored ink component is comprised of:acrylated oligomers 20-55% by weight, n-vinyl-2 pyrrolidone 12-25% byweight, and acrylated monomers 8-20% by weight.

In still a further variant, the adhesion promoter is comprised of:urethane 10-20% by weight, xylen 20-25% by weight and n-vinylpyrrolidone 10-20% by weight.

In yet a further variant, the mixing clear agent is comprised of:acrylated monomers 20-60% by weight, furanone 5-10% by weight andcyclohexanome 10-20% by weight.

In a final variant of the invention, the vinyl size material iscomprised of: methyl isobutyl ketone 10-20% by weight, 1, 3,6-trimethylbenzene 5-10% by weight, xylene 1-5% by weight, vinyl resin6-10% by weight, light aromatic solvent naptha 20-30% by weight,isophorone 5-10% by weight, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic acidterpolyme 1-5% by weight, pseudocumene 20-30% by weight, and cumene 1-5%by weight.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the presentinvention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to theaccompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferredembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention including multiple advertising images printed on a beltingmember;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a belting member with printed advertisingthereon;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a belting member curved for joining as aconveyor belt;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a series of belting members with printedadvertising that may be joined to form a conveyor belt;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a means for joining belting member endstogether along the line 5—5;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a means for joining belting member endstogether along the line 6—6;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the inventionincluding advertising images printed on a belting member having a blackcolored upper surface, illustrating the vinyl sizing, white base coatingand ink layers of coating applied;

FIG. 7A is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the inventionincluding advertising images printed on a belting member illustratingthe ink layer of coating applied;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the inventionincluding advertising images printed on a belting member having a whiteor light colored upper surface, illustrating the vinyl sizing and inklayers of coating applied;

FIG. 8A is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the inventionincluding advertising images printed on a belting member illustratingthe white base coating and ink layers applied;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a color separation image being used toprepare a silkscreen for making the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a silkscreen process for making theFIG. 1 embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the belting member after the silkscreenprocess has been used for making the FIG. 1 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a conveyor belt with advertising 10 providing thedesired features that may be constructed from the following components.As illustrated in FIG. 7A, at least one belting member 16 is provided.The belting member 16 has a first predetermined length (not shown), anupper surface 24, a lower surface 28, first 32 and second 36 parallelside edges and first 40 and second (not shown) ends. At least oneadvertising image 54 is provided. The advertising image 54 is printedupon the upper surface 24. Means 58 are provided for removably attachingone of the first ends 40 to one of the second ends.

In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, at least onebelting member 64 is provided. The belting member 64 has a firstpredetermined length (not shown), an upper surface 72, a lower surface76, first 80 and second 84 parallel side edges and first 88 and second(not shown) ends. A white base coating 50 is provided. The white basecoating 50 is adhered to the upper surface 76. At least one advertisingimage 54 is provided. The advertising image 54 is printed upon the whitebase coating 50. Means 58 are provided for removably attaching one ofthe first ends 88 to one of the second ends.

In another variant of the invention, at least one belting member 14 isprovided. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the belting member 14 has a firstpredetermined length 18, an upper surface 22, a lower surface 26, first30 and second 34 parallel side edges and first 38 and second 42 ends. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, a vinyl size coating 46 is provided. The vinylsize coating 46 is applied to the upper surface 22. A white base coating50 is provided. The white base coating 50 is adhered to the uppersurface 22 over the vinyl size coating 46. At least one advertisingimage 54 is provided. The advertising image 54 is printed upon the whitebase coating 50. Means 58 are provided for removably attaching one ofthe first ends 38 to one of the second ends 42.

In still another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8, atleast one belting member 62 is provided. The belting member 62 has afirst predetermined length (not shown), an upper surface 70, a lowersurface 74, first 78 and second 82 parallel side edges and first 86 andsecond (not shown) ends. The belting member 62 is formed of either whiteor light-colored material 94. A vinyl size coating 46 is provided. Thevinyl size coating 46 is applied to the upper surface 70. At least oneadvertising image 54 is provided. The advertising image 54 is printedupon the vinyl size coating 46. Means 58 are provided for removablyattaching one of the first ends 86 to one of the second ends.

In a further variant, the belting member 14, 62 is formed of materialshaving anti-static properties.

In still a further variant, the belting member 14, 62 is formed ofpolyvinyl chloride material and the upper surface 22, 70 has a mattesmooth surface having a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro.

In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the predeterminedlength 18, 66 of the belting member 14, 62 is less than an entire length98 of the conveyor belt 10, permitting replacement of a portion 102 ofthe entire length 98 of the conveyor belt 10.

In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9-11,a method for making a conveyor belt 10 for use in a retailestablishment, includes the following steps: Developing advertisingimages 54 for printing onto at least one belting member 14. Preparing acolor separation image 106 for each color to be printed on the beltingmember 14 for the advertising image 54. Preparing means 114 to printeach of the color separation images 106 successively onto the beltingmember 14. The separation images 106 are to be printed in registrationwith one another. Providing at least one belting member 14. The beltingmember 14 has a first predetermined length 18, an upper surface 22, alower surface 26, first 30 and second 34 parallel side edges and first38 and second 42 ends. Cleaning the belting member 14 to remove anycontaminants. Coating the upper surface 22 of the belting member 14 witha vinyl size material 46. Applying a white base coating 50 to the uppersurface 22 over the vinyl size material 46. Printing each of the colorseparation images 106 successively onto the belting member 14 inregistration with one another. Curing the advertising image 54 on thebelting member 14. Supporting the belting member 14 to prevent eitherflexing or contact with the advertising image 54 for a predeterminedpost cure period. Inspecting the belting member 14 for printing defects.Connecting attaching means 58 to each of the first 38 and second 42ends.

In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9-11, a methodfor making a conveyor belt 10 for use in a retail establishment,includes the following steps: Developing advertising images 54 forprinting onto at least one belting member 62. Preparing a colorseparation image 106 for each color to be printed on the belting member62 for the advertising image 54. Preparing means 114 to print each ofthe color separation images 106 successively onto the belting member 62.The separation images 106 are to be printed in registration with oneanother. Providing at least one belting member 62. The belting member 62having a first predetermined length, an upper surface 70, a lowersurface 74, first 78 and second 82 parallel side edges and first 86 andsecond 90 ends. The belting member 62 is formed of either white orlight-colored material 94. Cleaning the belting member 62 to remove anycontaminants. Coating the upper surface 70 of the belting member 62 witha vinyl size material 46. Printing each of the color separation images106 successively onto the belting member 62 in registration with oneanother. Curing the advertising image 54 on the belting member 62.Supporting the belting member 62 to prevent either of flexing andcontact with the advertising image 54 for a predetermined post cureperiod. Inspecting the belting members 54 for printing defects.Connecting attaching means 58 to each of the first 86 and second 90ends.

In still a further variant of the invention, the advertising images 54are prepared in digital format and the color separation images 106 areproduced from the digital format.

In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, the means 114 toprint each of the color separation images 106 successively onto thebelting member 14, 62 is a silkscreen process 118.

In another variant, the means 114 to print each of the color separationimages 106 successively onto the belting member 14, 62 is an offsetprinting process (not shown).

In still another variant, the means 114 to print each of the colorseparation images 106 successively onto the belting member 14, 62 is aflexographic printing process (not shown).

In yet another variant, the belting member 14, 62 is formed of materialshaving anti-static properties.

In yet a further variant, the belting member 14, 62 is formed ofpolyvinyl chloride material and the upper surface 22, 70 has a mattesmooth surface having a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro.

In still a further variant of the invention, the belting member 14, 62is cleaned using a solution that includes agents chosen from the groupincluding: methyl alcohol and toluene.

In another variant, the advertising image 54 to be printed is composedof only spot colors and the inks 126 printed on the belting member 14,62 are conventional inks.

In yet another variant, the advertising image 54 to be printed is afour-color process image and the inks printed on the belting member areultraviolet ink.

In still another variant, the inks 126 are cured using an ultravioletlight source (not shown), the ultraviolet light source having a powerrating from 100 watts to 300 watts.

In a further variant of the invention, the belting member 14, 62 ismoved under the ultraviolet light source at a speed ranging from 20 to40 feet per minute.

In yet a further variant, the post cure period ranges from 48 to 72hours.

In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9-11, a methodfor making a conveyor belt 10 for use in a retail establishment furtherincludes the steps of: Preparing a silkscreen 134 for each colorseparation image 106. Registering a first of the silk screens 134 to thebelting member 14. Printing a first color ink 126 on the belting member14 through the first silkscreen 134 over the white base coating 50.Removing the first silkscreen 134. Registering, printing through andremoving succeeding silk screens 134 for each additional color ink 126for each advertising image 54.

In yet a another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9-11, a methodfor making a conveyor belt 10 for use in a retail establishment furtherincludes the steps of: Preparing a silkscreen 134 for each colorseparation image 106. Registering a first of the silk screens 134 to thebelting member 62. Printing a first color ink 126 on the belting member62 through the first silkscreen 134. Removing the first silkscreen 134.Registering, printing through and removing succeeding silk screens 134for each additional color ink 126 for each advertising image 54.

In still another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11,a method for making a conveyor belt 10 for use in a retail establishmentwherein the preparation of a silkscreen 134 for each color separationimage 106 further includes the steps of: Preparing a film negative 138for each color separation image 106. Preparing a frame 142 for eachsilkscreen 134. Tensioning and securing each silkscreen 134 to one ofthe frames 142. Registering the film negative 138 on the silkscreen 134.Exposing the silkscreen 134 to a metal halide light source 146 for aperiod of time ranging from four to seven minutes. Removing the filmnegative 138 from the silkscreen 134.

In a further variant, the film negative 138 is capable of yielding animage having a resolution of at least 84 lines per screen and 600 dotsper inch.

In still a further variant, the silk screens 134 are tensioned on theframes 142 with a force 14-25 newtons.

In yet a further variant, the silkscreen 134 has a mesh count rangingbetween 230 and 420 cells per square inch.

In another variant, the ink 126 is comprised of an adhesion componentand a colored ink component.

In still another variant, the adhesion component is comprised of anadhesion promoter and a mixing clear agent, the adhesion promoter is0.05% to 20% of the adhesion component by weight with the mixing clearagent is the corresponding percentage of the adhesion component byweight.

In yet another variant, the ink is comprised of 0.05% to 20% adhesioncomponent by weight with the colored ink component is the correspondingpercentage of the ink by weight.

In a further variant, the colored ink component is comprised of:acrylated oligomers 20-55% by weight, n-vinyl-2 pyrrolidone 12-25% byweight, and acrylated monomers 8-20% by weight.

In still a further variant, the adhesion promoter is comprised of:urethane 10-20% by weight, xylen 20-25% by weight and n-vinylpyrrolidone 10-20% by weight.

In yet a further variant, the mixing clear agent is comprised ofacrylated monomers 20-60% by weight, furanone 5-10% by weight andcyclohexanome 10-20% by weight.

In a final variant of the invention, the vinyl size material iscomprised of: methyl isobutyl ketone 10-20% by weight, 1, 3,6-trimethylbenzene 5-10% by weight, xylene 1-5% by weight, vinyl resin6-10% by weight, light aromatic solvent naptha 20-30% by weight,isophorone 5-10% by weight, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic acidterpolyme 1-5% by weight, pseudocumene 20-30% by weight, and cumene 1-5%by weight.

The conveyor belts with advertising and method of making same 10 havebeen described with reference to particular embodiments. Othermodifications and enhancements can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for making a conveyor belt withadvertising, comprising the following steps: developing advertisingimages for printing onto at least one belting member; preparing a colorseparation image for each color to be printed on said belting member forsaid advertising image; preparing means to print each of said colorseparation images successively onto said belting member, said separationimages to be printed in registration with one another; providing atleast one belting member, said belting member having a firstpredetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first andsecond parallel side edges and first and second ends; cleaning saidbelting member to remove any contaminants; applying a white base coatingto said upper surface; printing each of said color separation imagessuccessively onto said belting member in registration with one another;curing the advertising image on the belting member; supporting thebelting member to prevent either of flexing and contact with saidadvertising image for a predetermined post cure period; inspecting saidbelting members for printing defects; and connecting attaching means toeach of said first and second ends.
 2. A method for making a conveyorbelt with advertising, comprising the following steps: developingadvertising images for printing onto at least one belting member;preparing a color separation image for each color to be printed on saidbelting member for said advertising image; preparing means to print eachof said color separation images successively onto said belting member,said separation images to be printed in registration with one another;providing at least one belting member, said belting member having afirst predetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first andsecond parallel side edges and first and second ends; cleaning saidbelting member to remove any contaminants; printing each of said colorseparation images successively onto said belting member in registrationwith one another; curing the advertising image on the belting member;supporting the belting member to prevent either of flexing and contactwith said advertising image for a predetermined post cure period;inspecting said belting members for printing defects; and connectingattaching means to each of said first and second ends.
 3. A method formaking a conveyor belt with advertising, comprising the following steps:developing advertising images for printing onto at least one beltingmember; preparing a color separation image for each color to be printedon said belting member for said advertising image; preparing means toprint each of said color separation images successively onto saidbelting member, said separation images to be printed in registrationwith one another; providing at least one belting member, said beltingmember having a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lowersurface, first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends;cleaning said belting member to remove any contaminants; coating theupper surface of said belting member with a vinyl size material;applying a white base coating to said upper surface over said vinyl sizematerial; printing each of said color separation images successivelyonto said belting member in registration with one another; curing theadvertising image on the belting member; supporting the belting memberto prevent either of flexing and contact with said advertising image fora predetermined post cure period; inspecting said belting members forprinting defects; and connecting attaching means to each of said firstand second ends.
 4. A method for making a conveyor belt withadvertising, comprising the following steps: developing advertisingimages for printing onto at least one belting member; preparing a colorseparation image for each color to be printed on said belting member forsaid advertising image; preparing means to print each of said colorseparation images successively onto said belting member, said separationimages to be printed in registration with one another; providing atleast one belting member, said belting member having a firstpredetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first andsecond parallel side edges and first and second ends; said beltingmember being formed of either of white and light-colored material;cleaning said belting member to remove any contaminants; coating theupper surface of said belting member with a vinyl size material;printing each of said color separation images successively onto saidbelting member in registration with one another; curing the advertisingimage on the belting member; supporting the belting member to preventeither of flexing and contact with said advertising image for apredetermined post cure period; inspecting said belting members forprinting defects; and connecting attaching means to each of said firstand second ends.
 5. A method for making a conveyor belt with advertisingas described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the advertising imagesare prepared in digital format and the color separation images areproduced from said digital format.
 6. A method for making a conveyorbelt with advertising as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein themeans to print each of said color separation images successively ontosaid belting member is a silkscreen process.
 7. A method for making aconveyor belt with advertising as described in any one of claims 1-4,wherein the means to print each of said color separation imagessuccessively onto said belting member is an offset printing process. 8.A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising as described in anyone of claims 1-4, wherein the means to print each of said colorseparation images successively onto said belting member is aflexographic printing process.
 9. A method for making a conveyor beltwith advertising as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein saidbelting member is formed of materials having anti-static properties. 10.A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising as described in anyone of claims 1-4, wherein said belting member is formed of polyvinylchloride material and said upper surface has a matte smooth surfacehaving a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro.
 11. A method for making aconveyor belt with advertising as described in any one of claims 1-4,wherein said belting member is cleaned using a solution comprisingagents chosen from the group comprising: methyl alcohol and toluene. 12.A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising as described in anyone of claims 1-4, wherein the advertising image to be printed iscomposed of only spot colors and the inks printed on the belting memberare conventional inks.
 13. A method for making a conveyor belt withadvertising as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein theadvertising image to be printed is a four-color process image and theinks printed on the belting member are ultraviolet ink.
 14. A method formaking a conveyor belt with advertising as described in claim 13,wherein the inks are cured using an ultraviolet light source, saidultraviolet light source having a power rating from 100 watts to 300watts.
 15. A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising asdescribed in claim 14, wherein the belting member is moved under theultraviolet light source at a speed ranging from 20 to 40 feet perminute.
 16. A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising asdescribed in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the post cure period rangesfrom 48 to 72 hours.
 17. A method for making a conveyor belt withadvertising as described in claim 1 or claim 3, further comprising thesteps of: preparing a silkscreen for each color separation image;registering a first of said silk screens to said belting member;printing a first color ink on said belting member through said firstsilkscreen over said white base coating; removing said first silkscreen;and registering, printing through and removing succeeding silk screensfor each additional color ink for each advertising image.
 18. A methodfor making a conveyor belt with advertising as described in claim 4 orclaim 11, further comprising the steps of: preparing a silkscreen foreach color separation image; registering a first of said silk screens tosaid belting member; printing a first color ink on said belting memberthrough said first silkscreen; removing said first silkscreen; andregistering, printing through and removing succeeding silk screens foreach additional color ink for each advertising image.
 19. A method formaking a conveyor belt with advertising as described in claim 17 orclaim 18, wherein the preparation of a silkscreen for each colorseparation image further comprises the steps of: preparing a filmnegative for each color separation image; preparing a frame for eachsilkscreen; tensioning and securing each silkscreen to one of saidframes; registering the film negative on the silkscreen; exposing thescreen to a metal halide light source for a period of time ranging fromfour to seven minutes; and removing the film negative from thesilkscreen.
 20. A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising asdescribed in claim 19, wherein the film negative is capable of yieldingan image having a resolution of at least 84 lines per screen and 600dots per inch.
 21. A method for making a conveyor belt with advertisingas described in claim 19, wherein the silk screens are tensioned on theframes with a force 14-25 newtons.
 22. A method for making a conveyorbelt with advertising as described in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein thesilkscreen has a mesh count ranging between 230 and 420 cells per squareinch.
 23. A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising asdescribed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the ink is comprised of anadhesion component and a colored ink component.
 24. A method for makinga conveyor belt with advertising as described in claim 23, wherein theadhesion component is comprised of an adhesion promoter and a mixingclear agent, said adhesion promoter being 0.05% to 20% of said adhesioncomponent by weight with said mixing clear agent being the correspondingpercentage of said adhesion component by weight.
 25. A method for makinga conveyor belt with advertising as described in claim 23, wherein theink is comprised of 0.05% to 20% adhesion component by weight with saidcolored ink component being the corresponding percentage of said ink byweight.
 26. A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising asdescribed in claim 23, wherein the colored ink component is comprisedof: acrylated oligomers 20-55% by weight; n-vinyl-2pyrrolidone 12-25% byweight; and acrylated monomers 8-20% by weight.
 27. A method for makinga conveyor belt with advertising as described in claim 24, wherein theadhesion promoter is comprised of: urethane 10-20% by weight; xylen20-25% by weight; and n-vinyl pyrrolidone 10-20% by weight.
 28. A methodfor making a conveyor belt with advertising as described in claim 24,wherein the mixing clear agent is comprised of: acrylated monomers20-60% by weight; furanone 5-10% by weight; and cyclohexanome 10-20% byweight.
 29. A method for making a conveyor belt with advertising asdescribed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the vinyl size material iscomprised of: methyl isobutyl ketone 10-20% by weight; 1, 3,6-trimethylbenzene 5-10% by weight; xylene 1-5% by weight; vinyl resin6-10% by weight; light aromatic solvent naptha 20-30% by weight;isophorone 5-10% by weight; vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic acidterpolyme 1-5% by weight; pseudocumene 20-30% by weight; and cumene 1-5%by weight.